Some Alcohol-free New Year's Eve Celebrations

The Alcohol Safety Action Program of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles takes an active role at state and local levels in promoting alcohol-free events.

During this holiday season, the Tidewater division is contributing funds to "First Night Virginia Beach," an alcohol-free New Year's Eve celebration at the Virginia Beach Pavilion. Sally Sutton, executive director of Virginia Beach Events Unlimited, expects a turnout of around 5,000 people for the city's first such event.

There are 32 cities across the country that sponsor similar New Year's celebrations. For more information call 498-0215 or 552-1827.

The Peninsula chapter participates annually in the New Year's Eve Ride Safe program sponsored by Riverside Hospital to ensure safer driving. For more information on the one-day service call 599-2684, 599-2000 or 595-3301.

At the state level, the group publishes two brochures relevant to the holiday season. "The Party Pack" gives advice on how to negotiate New Year's Eve safely. "The Joy of Mocktails" is intended as an all-purpose party guide. Along with a dozen alcohol-free drinks, its advice includes the following.

* Always serve food with alcohol. High protein and carbohydrate foods like cheese andmeats are especially effective in slowing the rate at which the body absorbs alcohol.

* If you serve alcoholic punch, use a non-carbonated base such as fruit juice to slow the the body's absorption of alcohol.

* Serve non-alcoholic beverages.

* Have several jiggers or self-measuring one-ounce bottle spouts at the bar. Guests are less likely to drink excessively when standard measures are used.

* Stop serving alcohol about two hours before the party is over.

* If you observe a guest drinking too much, engage him or her in conversation to slow down the drinking; offer high protein food, or make the next drink, using less alcohol and mixing it with a noncarbonated base.